Ignition troubles... 98' V6
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Ignition troubles... 98' V6
Whats up guys?! I'm new here and I need some serious insight so please lend me your wisdom!
I have a 98' V6 coupe Camaro (of course) and i'm having some (possibly)electrical issues. Man where to begin, for starters, my biggest issue is starting the car. Now in the morning everyday when i go to work it will start no problem. However, if I stop somewhere for say coffee or breakfast before work... it just won't start. This morning in fact it didn't start for nearly 55 minutes and resulted in me being late to work. I can't have that. Also, sometimes at lunch I'll go out to the car and it will start right away, if not it usually does after a few turns of the key. I should also say it's got a new battery, starter, belts, and everything in the car turns on and works when I try to start it. Radio comes on, windows go up and down, doors will lock and unlock, dash comes on, everything.. EXCEPT the car!
I have a 98' V6 coupe Camaro (of course) and i'm having some (possibly)electrical issues. Man where to begin, for starters, my biggest issue is starting the car. Now in the morning everyday when i go to work it will start no problem. However, if I stop somewhere for say coffee or breakfast before work... it just won't start. This morning in fact it didn't start for nearly 55 minutes and resulted in me being late to work. I can't have that. Also, sometimes at lunch I'll go out to the car and it will start right away, if not it usually does after a few turns of the key. I should also say it's got a new battery, starter, belts, and everything in the car turns on and works when I try to start it. Radio comes on, windows go up and down, doors will lock and unlock, dash comes on, everything.. EXCEPT the car!
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,646
From: Knoxville, Tn
Does it have any codes? Does the security light come on and stay on at any time during the period of no starts? When you say it will not start, are you saying nothing is happening at the motor when the key is turned or is the engine turning over and not firing? How does the battery cables look? (both ends).
If the engine is cranking over and it is not firing, when you turn on the key, listen for the fuel pump to turn on. If you hear the fuel pump, then check the fuel pressure. If you do not hear the fuel pump, then that might be something to look at. Just some thoughts.
If the engine is cranking over and it is not firing, when you turn on the key, listen for the fuel pump to turn on. If you hear the fuel pump, then check the fuel pressure. If you do not hear the fuel pump, then that might be something to look at. Just some thoughts.
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Does it have any codes? Does the security light come on and stay on at any time during the period of no starts?
No codes, the security light comes on as normal when turning the key and disappears as normal after about 5 seconds.
When you say it will not start, are you saying nothing is happening at the motor when the key is turned or is the engine turning over and not firing?
I hear a little whine from the engine, very high-pitched, i'm not quite sure what it is (i usually hear it from most cars or chevy's) and i normally hear this everytime so it must be normal. I go to turn the key and the engine doesn't turn over at all.. I just hear a click sound from the engine every time i turn the key.. if i held the key it is not constant.. just one click and thats it per turn.
Sometimes, I can turn it and it'll start right up.. or i can go to the store. Be gone for about 5 minutes come back and it won't start up right away but after about 2 or 3 turns of the key it starts right up no problem. Even the mechanic i took it too had no idea what the problem was.
How does the battery cables look? (both ends)
The battery cables are cleaned and just fine.. i replaced the terminal connectors recently also. I also had my altenator and starter tested and its not either of them.
I do hear the fuel pump come on, I think, but i'm not sure how to check fuel pressure.
No codes, the security light comes on as normal when turning the key and disappears as normal after about 5 seconds.
When you say it will not start, are you saying nothing is happening at the motor when the key is turned or is the engine turning over and not firing?
I hear a little whine from the engine, very high-pitched, i'm not quite sure what it is (i usually hear it from most cars or chevy's) and i normally hear this everytime so it must be normal. I go to turn the key and the engine doesn't turn over at all.. I just hear a click sound from the engine every time i turn the key.. if i held the key it is not constant.. just one click and thats it per turn.
Sometimes, I can turn it and it'll start right up.. or i can go to the store. Be gone for about 5 minutes come back and it won't start up right away but after about 2 or 3 turns of the key it starts right up no problem. Even the mechanic i took it too had no idea what the problem was.
How does the battery cables look? (both ends)
The battery cables are cleaned and just fine.. i replaced the terminal connectors recently also. I also had my altenator and starter tested and its not either of them.
I do hear the fuel pump come on, I think, but i'm not sure how to check fuel pressure.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,646
From: Knoxville, Tn
The click is is a sound that is made by (most of the time)
1. bad battery cable connection either at the battery, junction box or starter
2. Bad battery (one with a dead cell) I even bought a new one and it did the same thing. turned out it was bad off the shelf.
3. starter solenoid or dirty/loose connection of the positive battery cable to the starter.
4. Dirty ground wire connections, usually the one where the negative battery connects to the engine block.
The whining sound when you turn the key to the on position is most likely the fuel pump pressurizing the system.
1. bad battery cable connection either at the battery, junction box or starter
2. Bad battery (one with a dead cell) I even bought a new one and it did the same thing. turned out it was bad off the shelf.
3. starter solenoid or dirty/loose connection of the positive battery cable to the starter.
4. Dirty ground wire connections, usually the one where the negative battery connects to the engine block.
The whining sound when you turn the key to the on position is most likely the fuel pump pressurizing the system.
Last edited by osduck5; Apr 5, 2010 at 07:40 PM.
next time it doesnt want to start, try tapping on the starter with a pipe or hammer and see if that gets you anything. it sounds like the starter might be going bad. its rather common and isnt hard to replace
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Joined: Apr 2010
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yea i had the battery checked also because i thought it was that, but it came back clean and good.
Also had the starter solenoid checked and mechanic said it was fine. All my battery connections are tight and clean.
I've checked everything at the battery and altenator and starter.. its all good. But later I will check again to make sure. Any other ideas or suggestions?
Also had the starter solenoid checked and mechanic said it was fine. All my battery connections are tight and clean.
I've checked everything at the battery and altenator and starter.. its all good. But later I will check again to make sure. Any other ideas or suggestions?
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,646
From: Knoxville, Tn
How did they check the battery? Did they test it under load or just with a voltmeter? Just putting a voltmeter on the battery will not determine if it will actually crank a motor under load.
Have you ever seen anyone short a starter to ground to cause the starter to engage? That would help determine if the problem is related to the battery cables or if it is with the starter. Not a recommended procedure if you are not familar with what I am talking about.
Have you ever seen anyone short a starter to ground to cause the starter to engage? That would help determine if the problem is related to the battery cables or if it is with the starter. Not a recommended procedure if you are not familar with what I am talking about.
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